Metered dose inhaler compositions, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

Compositions, systems, and methods that can be used with a pressurized metered dose inhaler are disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition for use in a pressurized metered dose inhaler can comprise a cannabinoid composition, a co-solvent, a terpene composition, and a propellant. A pharmaceutical composition may be soluble. A system can comprise a plurality of cannabinoid compositions and/or a plurality of terpene compositions available in various combinations. One of a plurality of cannabinoid compositions and terpene composition combinations may be user-selectable in response to various factors such as a desired therapeutic benefit, sedative effect, flavor profile, or a combination of the foregoing. A method of formulating a soluble pMDI pharmaceutical composition comprising a cannabinoid composition, a co-solvent, a terpene composition, and a propellant is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.15/905,662, filed Feb. 26, 2018, which is a non-provisional of priorapplication Ser. No. 62/463,925, filed Feb. 27, 2017, all incorporatedherein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to compositions, systems, and methods formetered dose inhalers. In particular, the disclosure relates to metereddose inhaler formulations and systems comprising cannabinoids andterpenoids and methods for producing the same.

BACKGROUND

The rapid expansion of legal markets for medical and adult cannabisproducts in the United States and other countries has spurred anincrease in the number and variety of cannabis-containing products alongwith a widening variety of consumption or delivery methods in recentyears. Use of smoking or vaping apparatus to deliver aerosolizedcannabinoid bioactive compounds in inhaled smoke or vapor remains apopular consumption method, since the inhaled cannabinoid compounds arereadily absorbed in pulmonary tissues. Inhalation provides a more rapidonset of pharmacological action and peak plasma levels than ingestion,although various types of edible or orally consumed products have becomepopular as well. The pharmacokinetics achieved via pulmonary deliveryare comparable to those achieved via intravenous administration, butinhalation is a much less invasive approach that is also more convenientfor self-medication.

For many consumers or patients using cannabis products as a medicine,traditional inhalation-based delivery methods involving combustion maybe undesirable due to various potential risks or negative side-effectsof smoking. In addition, smoking can be inconvenient and can posechallenges to consistent dosing and discrete administration. Variousmethods of inhalation delivery using electronic vaporizers partiallyaddress some of the negative aspects of combustion-based smoking.However, plant matter, concentrate, and liquid product vaporizers aresubject to various other inconveniences, including cleaning,maintenance, charging, etc. Other inhalation delivery systems such asmetered dose inhalers have been described that address certainshortcomings of inhalation-based delivery methods relying on combustionor vaporization; however, such products have been narrowly THC-focused,perform poorly due to clogging or other issues, or are devoid of otheraspects associated with cannabis consumption, such as providing theconsumer or patient with an ability to select various cannabinoidprofiles and/or other product attributes that affect a consumer'sexperience. Therefore, improved metered dose inhaler formulations andsystems are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is for improved compositions, systems, and methodsthat can be used with a pressurized metered dose inhaler. Apharmaceutical composition for use in a pressurized metered dose inhalercan comprise a cannabinoid composition, a co-solvent, a terpenecomposition, and a propellant. A pharmaceutical composition may besoluble. An inhaler system with actuator can comprise a plurality ofcannabinoid compositions and/or a plurality of terpene compositionsavailable in various interchangeable canister assembly combinations. Oneof a plurality of cannabinoid compositions and terpene compositioncombinations may be user-selectable in response to various factors suchas a desired therapeutic benefit, sedative effect, flavor profile, or acombination of the foregoing. A method of formulating a soluble pMDIpharmaceutical composition, for use with the inhaler system, comprisinga cannabinoid composition, a co-solvent, a terpene composition, and apropellant is disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of herein makes reference to exemplaryembodiments by way of illustration and their best mode. While theseexemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the inventions, it should be understoodthat other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanicalchanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented forpurposes of illustration only and not by way of limitation. For example,the steps recited in any method or process descriptions herein may beexecuted in any order and are not necessarily limited to the orderpresented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes pluralembodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step mayinclude a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached,fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable,temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option.Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) mayalso include reduced contact or minimal contact.

As used herein, the term “cannabinoid composition” means any compositionof matter comprising one or more cannabinoid compounds. A cannabinoidcomposition can include a single isolated cannabinoid compound or amixture of cannabinoids, whether in purified form or in a solution orother physical or chemical matrix

As used here, the terms “cannabinoid” and “cannabinoid compound” may beused interchangeably and mean any chemical molecule capable ofinteracting with or acting on a mammalian cannabinoid receptor, such ashuman cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB₁) or cannabinoid receptor type 2(CB₂). This can include endocannabinoids produced endogenously by humansand other mammals, phytocannabinoids occurring in various plant species,and synthetic cannabinoids, whether or not derived from cannabis plants.

As used herein, the term “cannabis” means any plant or plant material ofthe genus Cannabis, including without limitation plants identified asCannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis, along withvarious other species, subspecies, hybrids, strains, chemovars, andother genetic variants of the same.

As used herein, the term “cannabis extract” means an extract derivedfrom cannabis plant material by any process suitable to separatecannabinoid compounds and/or terpene compounds from the plant material.A cannabis extract can be produced, for example, by solvent extractionusing various solvents, whether at supercritical or subcriticalpressures. In various embodiments, a cannabis extract may be subject tofurther processing to remove non-target constituents that may beco-extracted with cannabinoid and/or terpenoid compounds, such aschlorophyll, waxes, and other materials. In various embodiments, acannabis extract can comprise substantially all of the cannabinoidspresent in the plant in substantially the same relative abundance andform (including the cannabinoid acid form) in which they occur in theplant tissue from which they were extracted.

As used herein, the term “cannabinoid molecular distillate” means acomposition of cannabinoid compounds purified or isolated from acannabis extract by a short path distillation process. A “cannabinoidmolecular distillate” can comprise one or more distinct cannabinoidcompounds. A short path distillation process includes any distillationperformed under conditions such that a vapor molecule escaping a warmedinput fluid is unlikely to encounter another vapor molecule (i.e.,undergo an intermolecular collision) prior to reaching a cooledcondenser surface. Suitable short path distillation apparatus forproducing a molecular distillate include, for example, a thin filmdistillation apparatus, a wiped film distillation apparatus, a Kugelrohrshort path distillation apparatus, and the like.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid molecular distillate may becharacterized according to the source of the material used to producethe cannabis extract subject to distillation. For example, the term“marijuana flower cannabinoid molecular distillate” can be used todescribe a collection of cannabinoid compounds purified or isolated froma cannabis extract produced from marijuana flower material. The term“hemp cannabinoid molecular distillate” can be used to describe acollection of cannabinoid compounds purified or isolated from a cannabisextract produced from plant material that would be legally ortechnically classified as “hemp,” such as a variety of Cannabis sativahaving a THC content of less than 0.3% by dry weight.

As used herein, the terms “terpene” and “terpenoid compound” may be usedinterchangeably and mean any chemical molecule, whether natural orsynthetic, derived from one or more isoprene chemical subunits, exceptthat various terpenophenolic compounds meeting the definition of“cannabinoid” provided above are not included within the meaning of theterms “terpene” or “terpenoid compound.”

As used herein, the term “therapeutic substance” means any compound oragent which may be administered to a human or animal subject for thepurpose of providing some therapeutic benefit to the subject.“Therapeutic benefit” in this context includes prophylactic treatmentfor the purposes of preventing a physical or medical condition, as wellas treatment aimed at alleviating the symptoms of a physical or medicalcondition. Suitable “therapeutic substances” include conventionalpharmacologically active pharmaceutical substances and medicaments aswell as compounds or compositions derived from plants that may providetherapeutic effects.

As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” or“therapeutically and/or prophylactically effective amount” means anamount of compound or agent sufficient to elicit the required or desiredtherapeutic and/or prophylactic response, as the particular treatmentcontext may require. It will be understood that a therapeutically and/orprophylactically effective amount of a drug for a subject may bedependent on variables such as the body weight of the subject as well asother factors known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the term “treating” means to alleviate symptoms,eliminate the causation of the symptoms either on a temporary orpermanent basis, or to slow the appearance of symptoms of a disorder orcondition.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, apharmaceutical composition can comprise a cannabinoid composition, aterpene composition, a co-solvent, and a propellant. A pharmaceuticalcomposition can be configured for pulmonary administration, such as viaa pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI). A pharmaceutical compositionin accordance with various embodiments can be configured to provide forstability of the pharmaceutical composition, including, for example,physical and chemical stability of the pharmaceutical composition duringmanufacturing, storage, handling, and use of a pMDI system comprisingthe pharmaceutical composition. In various embodiments, a pharmaceuticalcomposition can be formulated to provide for solubility of thecannabinoid composition and the individual cannabinoid componentsthereof and/or the terpene composition and the individual terpenoidcomponents thereof in a liquid solution comprising the cannabinoidcomposition, the co-solvent, the terpene composition, and the propellantin a pressurized metered dose inhaler canister assembly, as described ingreater detail below.

In accordance with various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition, aterpene composition, a co-solvent, and a propellant may be combined inrelative quantities that provide for a stable solution. For example, invarious embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can be configured suchthat the cannabinoid composition comprises about 14% to about 20% byweight (w/w) of the composition, the co-solvent comprises about 14% toabout 20% by weight (w/w) of the composition, the terpene compositioncomprises about 0.5% to about 4.0% by weight (w/w) of the composition,and the propellant comprises about 55% to about 72% (w/w) of thecomposition. Various pharmaceutical compositions in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure are described in greaterdetail below.

A pharmaceutical composition in accordance with various embodiments cancomprise one or more therapeutic substances. In various embodiments, atherapeutic substance can comprise a cannabinoid composition and/or aterpenoid composition. In various embodiments and as described ingreater detail below, a system of pharmaceutical compositions comprisingdifferent combinations of cannabinoid compositions and terpenecompositions is provided. A system of pharmaceutical compositions inaccordance with various embodiments may enable patients to select fromamong various permutations of therapeutic substances and flavor profilesand administer a selected pharmaceutical composition in response to oneor more of a desired therapeutic benefit, a desired sedation level, anda desired flavor profile.

Cannabinoid Compositions

In accordance with various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition cancomprise a single cannabinoid compound or a plurality of cannabinoidcompounds. A cannabinoid composition comprising a single cannabinoidcompound can include, for example a cannabinoid compound that isisolated or purified from a natural source such as a cannabis plant, ora chemically-synthesized cannabinoid compound.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition can include, but isnot limited to, cannabinoid compounds that may naturally occur indifferent combinations and relative quantities in the plant tissues ofvarious species, subspecies, hybrids, strains, chemovars, and othergenetic variants of the genus Cannabis, including in material that mayvariously be classified as “marijuana” and “hemp” in accordance withvarious legal or technical definitions and standards. These cannabinoidcompounds can include, for example, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol(D8THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN),cannabinolic acid (CBNA), tetrahydrocannabinovarin (THCV),tetrahydrocannabinovarinic acid (THCVA), cannabidivarin (CBDV),cannabidivarin acid (CBDVA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerolic acid(CBGA), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromenic acid (CBCA),cannabinodiol (CBND), and cannabinodiolic acid (CBNDA). In variousembodiments, a cannabinoid composition can include naturally-occurringcannabinoid compounds that are produced via synthetic chemistry means,synthetic analogs and derivatives of naturally-occurring cannabinoids,and various combinations of natural and synthetic cannabinoids.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition can comprise aplurality of cannabinoid compounds. A cannabinoid composition cancomprise a plurality of cannabinoid compounds extracted, isolated, orpurified from a cannabis plant. For example, in various embodiments, acannabinoid composition can comprise a cannabinoid molecular distillatecomprising a plurality of cannabinoid compounds. In various embodiments,a cannabinoid molecular distillate can comprise at least about 80%cannabinoid compounds by weight, or at least about 85% cannabinoidcompounds by weight, or at least about 90% cannabinoid compounds byweight, or at least about 95% cannabinoid compounds by weight, or atleast about 96% cannabinoid compounds by weight, or at least about 97%cannabinoid compounds by weight, or at least about 98% cannabinoidcompounds by weight, or at least about 99% cannabinoid compounds byweight.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition can comprise aCannabis sativa cannabinoid composition, a Cannabis indica cannabinoidcomposition, or a hybrid cannabinoid composition, derived from extractsof Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and hybrid cannabis plants,respectively. As used herein, “derived from” can mean extracted,isolated, or purified from a cannabis plant, as well as mixed orsynthesized to simulate a cannabinoid composition obtained from acannabis plant. For example, in various embodiments, a cannabinoidcomposition can comprise a Cannabis indica molecular distillate producedfrom an extract obtained from Cannabis indica plant material.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition comprising a pluralityof cannabinoid compounds can comprise at least two, or at least three,or at least four cannabinoid compounds. In various embodiments, acannabinoid composition can comprise a plurality of cannabinoidcompounds selected from the group consisting of THC, THCA, D8THC, CBD,CBDA, CBN, CBNA, THCV, THCVA, CBDV, CBDVA, CBG, CBGA, CBC, CBCA, CBND,and CBNDA. In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition cancomprise a plurality of cannabinoid compounds selected from the groupconsisting of THC, CBC, CBN, CBG, and THCV.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition comprising a pluralityof cannabinoid compounds can comprise THCV. The THCV can comprise atleast about 0.5% of the cannabinoid composition by weight.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition comprising a pluralityof cannabinoid compounds can comprise CBG, CBN, and CBC. In variousembodiments, CBG can comprise at least about 1.0% of the cannabinoidcomposition by weight, and the CBN can comprise at least about 2.0% ofthe cannabinoid composition by weight.

Specific combinations of various cannabinoids have been found to beclinically useful in the treatment or management of specific diseases ormedical conditions. In various embodiments, a cannabinoid compositioncan comprise specific ratios of certain cannabinoids, such as a specificratio of CBD to THC. For example, in various embodiments, a cannabinoidcomposition can comprise about a 0:1, or a about a 1:0, or about a 1:1,or about a 2:1, or about a 3:1, or about a 4:1, or about a 5:1, or abouta 6:1, or about a 7:1, or about a 8:1, or about a 9:1, or about a 10:1,or about a 15:1, or about a 20:1, or about a 25:1 ratio of CBD to THC byweight or relative abundance (i.e., molar concentration). Likewise, acannabinoid composition can comprise any two cannabinoid compounds inthe foregoing ratios or similar approximations thereof. In variousembodiments, the ratio between any two cannabinoids in a cannabinoidcomposition can be any ratio between, for example, about 0:1 and about100:1.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition may be substantiallydevoid of CBD. As used herein, the term “substantially devoid” meanshaving an undetectable amount of a substance, or less than about 0.1% ofa composition by weight. In various embodiments, a pharmaceuticalcomposition can comprise a cannabinoid composition that contains lessthan about 0.1% CBD by weight of the cannabinoid composition.

In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition can comprise CBD. TheCBD can be derived from a cannabis or hemp extract and can be a cannabisor hemp extract molecular distillate that may comprise furthercannabinoid compounds, or the CBD can be derived from a CBD isolate,whether synthesized or obtained by purification from a cannabis or hempsource. In various embodiments, a cannabinoid composition comprising CBDcan comprise a plurality of cannabinoids, such as various cannabinoidsselected from the group consisting of THC, THCA, D8THC, CBDA, CBN, CBNA,THCV, THCVA, CBDV, CBDVA, CBG, CBGA, CBC, CBCA, CBND, and CBNDA.

In various embodiments and as mentioned above, a cannabinoid compositioncan comprise both decarboxylated cannabinoid compounds as well as thecorresponding carboxylic acid forms, such as, for example, both THC andTHCA. A cannabis extract or cannabinoid composition can bedecarboxylated, such as by heating, and in various embodiments, acannabinoid composition can be substantially devoid of acid forms ofcannabinoid compounds. However, a cannabis extract or cannabinoidcomposition need not be decarboxylated, and a cannabinoid compositionmay comprise one or more carboxylic acid cannabinoid forms. In variousembodiments, the carboxylic acid forms of one or more cannabinoidcompounds in a cannabinoid composition may be present in a higherabundance than the corresponding decarboxylated form.

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can comprise acannabinoid composition formulated to provide a particular therapeuticbenefit. Such a composition can be configured to provide apharmacologically effective amount and/or a therapeutically effectiveamount of one or more specific cannabinoid compounds. For example, invarious embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can be formulated witha cannabinoid composition comprising a pharmacologically effectiveamount and/or a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of thecannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of CBD, CBC,and CBN to provide a sedative or anti-insomnia therapeutic benefit.

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprising acannabinoid composition configured to provide a particular therapeuticbenefit can further comprise a synergistic terpene compositionconfigured to provide an enhanced therapeutic benefit. For example, andas described in greater detail below, a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a cannabinoid composition configured to provide a sedative oranti-insomnia therapeutic benefit can further comprise a terpenecomposition comprising, for example, a pharmacologically effectiveamount and/or a therapeutically effective amount of a terpene selectedfrom the group consisting of β-myrcene, linalool, d-limonene, nerolidol,and terpinolene. In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical compositionconfigured to provide a sedative therapeutic benefit can comprise aterpene composition including at least 20% by weight of terpenoidcompounds selected from the group consisting of β-myrcene, linalool, andd-limonene. In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical compositionconfigured to provide a sedative therapeutic benefit can comprise aterpene composition including one of sabinene and α-phellandrene.

In various embodiments of a pharmaceutical composition comprising acannabinoid composition such as a cannabinoid molecular distillate, thecannabinoid composition can comprise from about 1% to about 30%, or fromabout 10% to about 25%, or from about 12% to about 22%, or from about14% to about 19% by weight (w/w) of the pharmaceutical composition. Invarious embodiments, a cannabinoid composition can comprise at leastabout 5%, or at least about 10%, or at least about 12%, or at leastabout 14%, or at least about 15%, or at least about 16%, or at leastabout 17%, or at least about 18%, or at least about 19%, or at leastabout 20%, or at least about 21%, or at least about 22%, or at leastabout 23%, or at least about 24%, or at least about 25% by weight (w/w)of a pharmaceutical composition.

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprising acannabinoid composition can be configured to deliver a particular amountof the cannabinoid composition with each actuation of a pMDI systemcontaining the pharmaceutical composition. For example, in variousembodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can be formulated to deliverabout 1 mg, or about 2 mg, or about 3 mg, or about 4 mg, or about 5 mg,or about 10 mg, or about 15 mg, or about 20 mg, or about 25 mg, or about50 mg of a cannabinoid composition per actuation. In various embodimentsand as mentioned above, a pharmaceutical composition can be formulatedto deliver a pharmacologically effective amount and/or a therapeuticallyeffective amount of one or more specific cannabinoid compounds, asdescribed in greater detail below.

Terpene Compositions

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a pharmaceuticalcomposition can comprise a terpene composition. However, apharmaceutical composition in accordance with various embodiments neednot comprise a terpene composition, and in various embodiment, apharmaceutical composition can be substantially free of terpenoidcompounds.

In accordance with various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition cancomprise, for example, from about 0.2% to about 2% by weight (w/w) of aterpene composition. In various embodiments, a pharmaceuticalcomposition can comprise at least about 0.1%, or at least about 0.2%, orat least about 0.5%, or at least about 0.75%, or at least about 1.0%, orat least about 1.25%, or at least about 1.5%, or at least about 1.75%,or at least about 2.0%, or at least about 3.0%, or at least about 4.0%,or at least about 5.0%, or at least about 6.0%, or at least about 7.0%,or at least about 8.0%, or at least about 9.0%, or at least about 10%,or at least about 11%, or at least about 12%, or at least about 13%, orat least about 14%, or at least about 15%, or at least about 16%, or atleast about 17%, or at least about 18%, or at least about 19%, or atleast about 20% by weight (w/w) of a terpene composition.

In accordance with various embodiments, a terpene composition cancomprise a single terpenoid compound or a plurality of terpenoidcompounds. A terpene composition comprising a single cannabinoidcompound can include, for example a terpenoid compound that is isolatedor purified from a natural source such as a cannabis plant, or achemically-synthesized terpenoid compound.

In various embodiments, a terpene composition comprising a plurality ofterpenoid compounds can comprise at least two, or at least three, or atleast four terpenoid compounds. In various embodiments, a terpenecomposition can comprise a plurality of terpenoid compounds selectedfrom the group consisting of α-pinene, camphene, α-pinene, β-pinene,β-myrcene, δ-3-carene, d-limonene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, eucalyptol,ocimene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, linalool, (−)-isopulegol, geraniol,β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, nerolidol, (−)-guaiol, (−)-α-bisabolol,(−)-caryophylene oxide, α-phellandrene, fenchol, borneol, terpineol,sabinene, camphor, isoborneol, α-cedrene, phytol, valencene, pulegonegeranyl acetate, and menthol.

In various embodiments, a terpene composition can comprise a pluralityof terpene compounds extracted, isolated, or purified from a cannabisplant or another plant species. For example, in various embodiments, aterpene composition can comprise a terpene distillate comprising aplurality of terpene compounds. In various embodiments, a terpenedistillate can be obtained from a marijuana flower extract or from ahemp extract. In various embodiments, a terpene composition can be amixture of terpene compounds derived from any suitable source, includingnaturally occurring terpenes and chemically synthesized terpenes, ormixtures of terpenes that may be commercially available. In variousembodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can comprise a terpenecomposition having one of the various terpenoid compound profiles withthe relative quantities illustrated in Table 2, below.

In various embodiments, a terpene composition can be configured toprovide a therapeutic benefit. For example, a terpene compositionconfigured to provide a sedative or anti-insomnia therapeutic benefitcan comprise a pharmacologically effective amount and/or atherapeutically effective amount of a terpene selected from the groupconsisting of β-myrcene, linalool, nerolidol, and terpinolene. A terpenecomposition configured to provide an anxiolytic therapeutic benefit cancomprise a pharmacologically effective amount and/or a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a terpene selected from the group consisting oflinalool and d-limonene. A terpene composition configured to provide ananticonvulsant therapeutic benefit can comprise a pharmacologicallyeffective amount and/or a therapeutically effective amount of a terpenesuch as linalool.

In various embodiments, terpene composition can be configured to providean amount of α-pinene that is pharmacologically effective to provide abronchodilator effect. Inclusion of a pharmacologically effective amountof α-pinene in a pharmaceutical composition in accordance with variousembodiments may be suitable to enhance the uptake of other therapeuticsubstances in the pharmaceutical composition, thereby enhancing theirtherapeutic effect or decreasing the concentration required to provide apharmacological or therapeutic effect.

In various embodiments, a terpene composition used in a pharmaceuticalcomposition can be formulated to provide a pharmacologically effectiveamount and/or a therapeutically effective amount of a terpenoid compoundthat provides a therapeutic benefit that is additive or a synergistic toa therapeutic benefit conferred by a cannabinoid composition in the samepharmaceutical composition. Expressed differently, a pharmaceuticalcomposition in accordance with various embodiments can comprise both acannabinoid composition and a terpene composition, each separatelyconfigured to provide a certain therapeutic benefit, wherein theinclusion of both provides an additive or synergistic therapeuticbenefit as compared to the therapeutic benefit that may be achieved by apharmaceutical composition having only the cannabinoid composition orthe terpene composition.

Co-Solvent

In various embodiments, a co-solvent used in a pharmaceuticalcomposition can comprise an organic solvent such as an alcohol. Invarious embodiments, a co-solvent can be a monohydric or polyhydricalcohol. Various alcohols may be suitable, such as ethanol, propanol,polypropylene glycol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, and the like, alongwith various mixtures thereof.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure,ethanol may be used as a co-solvent. In various embodiments, a cannabiscomposition such as a cannabinoid molecular distillate may be soluble inethanol, and use of ethanol as a co-solvent may be suitable to provide apharmaceutical composition with desired solution stability and aerosolperformance in a pMDI system. However, a high ethanol content may beundesirable, as it can increase aerosol particle size and velocity andtherefore reduce effective pulmonary delivery. In various embodiments, apharmaceutical composition may be configured to minimize the requiredethanol concentrations, for example, to reduce the potential forunpleasant taste sensations or to ensure appropriate aerosol particlesize and maintain aerosol particle size below a certain size, whileproviding for a stable, solution-phase pharmaceutical composition.Accordingly, in various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition cancomprise less than about 25% ethanol, or less than about 20%, or lessthan about 19%, or less than about 18%, or less than about 17%, or lessthan about 16%, or less than about 15%, or less than about 14%, or lessthan about 13%, or less than about 12%, or less than about 11%, or lessthan about 10%, or less than about 9%, or less than about 8%, or lessthan about 7%, or less than about 6%, or less than about 7%, or lessthan about 6%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 4%, or lessthan about 3%, or less than about 2%, or less than about 1% ethanol byweight (w/w) of the composition. In various embodiments, apharmaceutical composition can comprise from about 1% to about 20%ethanol, or from about 1% to about 5% ethanol, or from about 2% to about8% ethanol, or from about 5% to 10% ethanol, or from about 7% to about12% ethanol, or from about 10% to about 15% ethanol, or from about 13%to about 18% ethanol, or from about 15% to about 20% ethanol by weight(w/w) of the composition.

In various embodiments, a terpenoid compound such as d-limonene canfunction as a co-solvent, either in combination with an alcoholco-solvent or separately. Thus, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present disclosure, the terpene component of a pharmaceuticalcomposition can serve as a co-solvent and an alcohol co-solvent may notbe required to provide solubility of the cannabinoid component in thepharmaceutical composition. In accordance with various embodiments andas described in greater detail below, the co-solvent composition andconcentration may be adjusted to provide suitable cannabinoidcomposition solubility, pharmaceutical composition chemical and physicalstability, and aerosol performance.

Propellant

In various embodiments, a propellant comprises a pharmacologically inertliquid with a boiling point of from about room temperature (25° C.) toabout −25° C. which exerts a high vapor pressure at room temperature.Without wishing to be bound by theory, inclusion of a propellant in apharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure provides forpressurization of the composition in a canister assembly of the pMDIsystem and upon activation of the pMDI system, the high vapor pressureof the propellant in the pMDI system forces a metered amount ofpharmaceutical composition out through the metering valve and thepropellant very rapidly vaporizes, dispersing the pharmaceuticalcomposition as an aerosol. In various embodiments, a propellant may be ahydrofluorocarbon, for example, a hydrofluoroalkane such as1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFA 134a), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane(HFA 227), or a mixture thereof.

A pharmaceutical composition in accordance with various embodiments cancomprise from about 50% to about 75% propellant, or from about 55% toabout 70% propellant, or from about 56% to about 69% propellant, or fromabout 57% to about 68% propellant, or from about 58% to about 67%propellant by weight (w/w) of the composition. In various embodiments, apharmaceutical composition comprises less than about 75% propellant, orless than about 70% propellant, or less than about 69% propellant, orless than about 67% propellant by weight (w/w) of the composition. Invarious embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises at leastabout 55% propellant, or at least about 58% propellant, or at leastabout 59% propellant, or at least about 60% propellant, or at leastabout 61% propellant, or at least about 62% propellant, or at leastabout 63% propellant, or at least about 64% propellant, or at leastabout 65% propellant, or at least about 66% propellant by weight (w/w)of the composition.

pMDI Devices and Systems

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition is configured fordelivery of an aerosolized dose of the pharmaceutical composition by apressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) device. A pMDI device cancomprise a delivery device consisting of a canister, a metering valveconfigured to sealably attach to a canister and to deliver a particularquantity of a composition contained within the canister (i.e., a metereddose) per actuation of the valve, and an actuator. A metering valve canbe sealably attached to a canister to produce a canister assemblysuitable to sealably contain a pressurized pharmaceutical composition. ApMDI device can also comprise a pharmaceutical composition containedwithin a sealed pMDI canister assembly.

In various embodiments, a pMDI system can comprise a plurality of pMDIcanister assemblies or assembled pMDI devices (i.e., an assembled pMDIdevice including a filled canister assembly and an actuator), with eachpMDI canister assembly or assembled pMDI device containing a differentpharmaceutical formulation. Different pMDI canister assemblies orassembled pMDI devices containing different pharmaceutical formulationsmay be selected by a patient or a consumer in response to variousfactors, such as different desired therapeutic benefits, differentsedative effects, different flavor profiles, and various combinations ofthe foregoing factors.

In various embodiments, an assembled pMDI device is configured todeliver the pharmaceutical composition in the form of droplets of arespirable size suitable for pulmonary administration. In variousembodiments, a pMDI device, including the pharmaceutical composition, isconfigured to provide an aerosol particle size having a relativelyuniform particle size distribution, for example, with substantially all,or at least about 90%, or at least about 80%, or at least about 70%, orat least about 60%, or at least about 50%, of the particles rangingbetween about 0.1 and about 25 microns, or between about 0.5 and about10 microns, or between about 1.0 and about 5.0 microns. Particles largerthan 25 microns may be deposited in the oropharyngeal cavity, whileparticles smaller than about 0.5 micron may fail to be deposited in thelungs and be lost due to exhalation. In various embodiments, the aerosolparticle size produced by a pMDI device can be measured by cascadeimpaction and characterized by the mass median aerodynamic diameter(MMAD, i.e., the value for which 50% of the particles are larger orsmaller). In various embodiments, the MMAD is between about 0.5 andabout 10 microns, or between about 1.0 and about 5.0 microns.

In various embodiments, a pMDI device will comprise an actuator havingan orifice with an orifice diameter. Preferably, the actuator orificehas a diameter in the range of from about 0.10 mm to about 0.70 mm, andmore preferably in the range of from about 0.40 mm to about 0.70 mm. Invarious embodiments, the orifice diameter is in the range of from about0.50 to about 0.60 mm.

In various embodiments, a metering valve used in a pMDI device can beconfigured to deliver a volume of a pharmaceutical composition in arange of from about 25 to about 100 microliters per actuation. Invarious embodiments, a pMDI device can be configured with a meteringvalve configured to deliver about a 50 microliter volume of apharmaceutical composition.

In various embodiments, a pMDI device will comprise an actuator with anactuation or dose counter for counting the number of actuations of thesystem. The actuation or dose counter may be mechanical or electronic.

In various embodiments, a pMDI system can comprise a plurality ofpharmaceutical formulations, with each pharmaceutical formulationcomprising a different combination of one of a plurality of cannabinoidcompositions and/or one of a plurality of terpene compositions. Invarious embodiments, each of the cannabinoid composition and the terpenecomposition in a pharmaceutical composition may provide a differenttherapeutic benefit. In various embodiments, a cannabinoid compositionand a terpenoid composition may each provide the same therapeuticbenefit. In such embodiments, the therapeutic benefit provided by eachmay be additive or synergistic.

In various embodiments, a system can comprise a first pharmaceuticalcomposition configured to provide a first therapeutic benefit and asecond therapeutic benefit, and a second pharmaceutical compositionconfigured to provide a first therapeutic benefit and a thirdtherapeutic benefit. For example, in various embodiments, two differentpharmaceutical compositions may comprise the same cannabinoidcomposition but have different terpene compositions, such as a terpenecomposition configured to provide a sedative (i.e., second) therapeuticbenefit and a terpene composition configured to provide an enhancedalertness (i.e., third) therapeutic effect. The cannabinoid compositionmay provide a separate therapeutic benefit, such as a systemic analgesic(i.e., first) therapeutic benefit. In this manner, a patient or consumercan select a pharmaceutical composition having cannabinoid compositionconfigured to provide an analgesic therapeutic benefit with a desiredsedative or enhanced alertness therapeutic benefit in response to asedation preference.

Moreover, in various embodiments, a plurality of terpene compositionscan be configured to provide a particular therapeutic benefit, such as asedative therapeutic benefit, with each of the plurality of terpenecompositions providing a distinct flavor profile, enabling a consumer toselect a pharmaceutical composition providing a particular therapeuticbenefit, from among a plurality of pharmaceutical compositionsconfigured to provide the same desired therapeutic effect, in responseto a particular flavor preference.

In accordance with various embodiments, each of plurality ofpharmaceutical compositions may be packaged in a pMDI canister. Invarious embodiments, different pharmaceutical compositions in differentpMDI canisters may be user-interchangeable with a single actuatordevice, or a user may simply select a different pharmaceuticalcomposition, with each composition packaged in a pMDI canister andassembled to a separate actuator device. Thus, in accordance withvarious embodiments, a pMDI system is provided that can permit aconsumer or patient to select from a plurality of pharmaceuticalcompositions based on at least one of a desired therapeutic benefit, adesired sedative effect, and a desired flavor profile.

Methods of Formulation

Compositions for aerosol administration via pMDIs can be formulated assolutions or suspensions. Solution compositions can offer severaladvantages, including that they can be more convenient to manufacturebeing completely dissolved in the propellant vehicle and they avoid thephysical stability problems associated with suspension compositions.However, solution compositions comprising cannabinoid compounds atsuitable concentrations while providing appropriate aerosol particlecharacteristics can be challenging to achieve, particularly forcannabis-extract derived formulations, and compositions can quicklyseparate, forming sediments or emulsions and leading to clogging orother performance problems that can frustrate a user, such as byinterfering with consistent or expected dosing or by preventing accessto the product altogether. Moreover, chemical instability leading to thedegradation of therapeutic substance components and producing a changein product efficacy can also be problematic for some compositions.

As described above, a co-solvent such as ethanol can be used to provideenhanced cannabinoid composition solubility in a pharmaceuticalcomposition for administration by pMDI; however, increasing ethanolconcentration can produce increased aerosol particle sizes, which may beundesirable.

Surprisingly, it was discovered that the use of terpene compositions inthe formulations of the present disclosure permitted achieving stablesolutions of a cannabinoid composition in propellant at lowerconcentrations of co-solvent than for formulations lacking terpenesolutions. Expressed differently, inclusion of a terpene composition ina pharmaceutical composition can increase the solubility of acannabinoid composition in the pharmaceutical composition. In variousembodiments, inclusion of a terpene composition in a pharmaceuticalcomposition can provide a for a stable pharmaceutical compositionsolution comprising a first concentration of a cannabinoid compositionand a decreased co-solvent concentration relative to a pharmaceuticalcomposition lacking a terpene composition.

In various embodiments, a surfactant optionally may be added to lowerthe surface and interfacial tension between the cannabinoid composition,the propellant, co-solvent, and the terpene composition, if present. Asurfactant may be any suitable, non-toxic compound which is non-reactivewith the pharmaceutical composition components and which substantiallyreduces the surface tension and/or interfacial tension between thecannabinoid composition, the propellant, co-solvent, and or terpenecomposition. However, various formulations disclosed herein do notrequire a surfactant to produce and/or maintain a stable pharmaceuticalcomposition solution under normal operating conditions, and in variousembodiments a pharmaceutical composition may be surfactant-free.

The present disclosure also provides a method of formulating apharmaceutical composition having a stable aerosol solution formulation.In various embodiments, a method of formulating a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises mixing a cannabinoid composition with a co-solventto produce a first solution. The first solution is then mixed with aterpene composition to produce a second solution. The second solutioncan be placed in an MDI canister and then mixed with propellant in atwo-stage pressure fill pMDI manufacturing method, or the secondsolution can be mixed with propellant and injected into a precrimpedpMDI canister using a single-stage pressure fill approach. In variousembodiments, the proportions of cannabinoid composition, co-solvent,terpene composition, and propellant used in a pharmaceutical compositionmay be adjusted to produce a pharmaceutical composition that is a stablesolution under various storage and handling conditions. A finishedpharmaceutical composition can be evaluated optically in accordance withvarious embodiments following formulation to ensure that the finishedpharmaceutical composition is not subject to separation orprecipitation. For example, in various embodiments, a cannabinoidcomposition, co-solvent, and terpene composition mixture may be placedin a transparent glass jar suitable for sealing with a metering valve orsimilar component through which propellant may be added to the mixtureand capable of withstanding typical pMDI pressures. Propellant may begradually added to the mixture in the sealed jar and monitored visuallyto assess solubility of the mixture in the propellant. In variousembodiments, a soluble formulation will have a homogenous opticallyclear appearance, while an insoluble formulation will appear cloudy dueto the presence of an emulsion and/or liquid separation will occur dueto immiscibility. In various embodiments, the homogeneity of apharmaceutical composition formulation can be monitored visually duringformulation and for a period of time following formulation to ensuresolubility.

In various embodiments, if a pharmaceutical composition with aparticular formulation undergoes separation following formulation, asdetermined visually by assessment of the stability of the formulation ina pressurized glass jar, the composition may be reformulated, such as byincreasing the proportion of the co-solvent and/or the terpenecomposition relative to the cannabinoid composition and repeating theprocess outlined above.

In various embodiments, the ratio of propellant to the mixture ofcannabinoid composition, co-solvent, and terpene composition componentscan be titrated to produce a soluble pharmaceutical composition. Invarious embodiments, the proportion of each of a cannabinoidcomposition, co-solvent, terpene composition, and propellant in apharmaceutical composition may be separately titrated to produce asoluble pharmaceutical composition.

For example, for a pharmaceutical composition formulated in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cannabinoidcomposition can comprise a cannabinoid molecular distillate at aconcentration of from about 14% to about 19% by weight (w/w) of thecomposition, a co-solvent can comprise ethanol at a concentration offrom about 14% to about 19% by weight (w/w) of the composition, aterpene composition can comprise a terpene mix at a concentration offrom about 0.5% to about 4.0% by weight (w/w) of the composition, and apropellant can comprise HFA 134a at a concentration of from about 58% toabout 72% by weight (w/w) of the composition.

Particle Size (Aerosol Performance)

In accordance with various embodiments, the formulation of apharmaceutical composition can be configured to provide desired aerosolperformance characteristics during delivery by a metered dose inhalersystem. Factors such as the viscosity of the pharmaceutical compositionand the various components thereof, and the interaction of thepharmaceutical composition with the pMDI device during actuation basedon various factors such as the nozzle size and shape and the mouthpiececonfiguration can influence aerosol characteristics duringadministration of the pharmaceutical composition. In variousembodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can be configured to providethe desired aerosol performance characteristics when used with a pMDIdevice configured with various parameters provided elsewhere herein.

Stability

In various embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentdisclosure may be physically and/or chemically stable under periods ofstorage and/or thermal stresses of up to about 55° C. for up to aboutsix hours. The ability of a composition to withstand prolonged storageor thermal stress can be measured, for example, by subjecting acomposition to storage at elevated temperatures and subsequentlymeasuring fine particle fraction of the composition upon actuation ofthe delivery system. An instrument such as an Andersen Cascade Impactorcan be used to measure the fine particle fraction (FPF), or the mass ofaerosol particles with aerodynamic diameters that are less thanapproximately 5 microns.

In various embodiment, a mass of particles of a pharmaceuticalcomposition subjected to temperatures up to about 45° C. for up to aboutsix hours exhibits a FPF that varies from the FPF of a mass of similarparticles for the same pharmaceutical composition held at roomtemperature by less than about 25%, or less than about 20%, or less thanabout 15%, or less than about 10%.

In various embodiment, a mass of particles of a pharmaceuticalcomposition subjected to temperatures up to about 55° C. for up to aboutsix hours exhibits a FPF that varies from the FPF of a mass of similarparticles for the same pharmaceutical composition held at roomtemperature by less than about 25%, or less than about 20%, or less thanabout 15%, or less than about 10%.

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the presentdisclosure can be characterized by the chemical stability of thepharmaceutical composition, including the cannabinoid composition and/orthe terpenoid composition that comprises the pharmaceutical composition.Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that severalfactors can influence the chemical stability of a pharmaceuticalcomposition, such as the composition, stability, and/or interactions ofthe pharmaceutical composition components. Chemical stability can beassessed using various techniques well known in the art, such as highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and/or gas chromatography-massspectrometry (GC-MS).

In various embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentdisclosure do not exhibit substantial degradation of the cannabinoidcompounds comprising the cannabinoid composition or the terpenoidcompounds comprising the terpenoid composition after being stored attemperatures of up to about 40° C. for up to about three months. Invarious embodiments, the cannabinoid composition and/or terpenoidcomposition is within about 75%, or within about 80%, or within about85%, or within about 90%, or within about 95%, or within about 98% ofthe starting cannabinoid composition and/or terpenoid composition byweight following a storage period of three months at temperatures of upto about 40° C.

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition may be formulatedto provide a stable solution following mixing and pressurization of thecomposition in a pMDI canister. A stable solution may not be subject tophysical separation or precipitation of composition components duringnormal product handling and use, or during extended storage and handingperiods and conditions such as a product may be subject to duringpackaging, warehousing, shipping, handling, and the like. In variousembodiments, a pharmaceutical composition may remain a stable solutionfor storage and handling periods of up to about one month, or up toabout three months, or up to about six months, or up to about 9 months,or up to about 12 months, under a variety of temperature conditionsincluding temperatures of up to about 30° C., or about 40° C., or about45° C., or about 50° C., for up to about 1 hour, or up to about 3 hours,or up to about 12 hours, or up to about 24 hours. In variousembodiments, the stability of a pharmaceutical composition can beassessed optically. In various embodiments, the stability of apharmaceutical composition can be assessed based on performance of thepMDI system over the course of simulated or accelerated life cycletesting. For example, in various embodiments, a pMDI system may beevaluated for delivery of a consistent mass of the pharmaceuticalcomposition contained within the system, such as delivery of a 50 mgmass at the first actuation, the second actuation, the third actuation,and the nth actuation, wherein n may be, for example, the designedmaximum number of actuations. In various embodiments, a pharmaceuticalformulation and a pMDI system may provide at least about 75%, or atleast about 80%, or at least about 85%, or at least about 90%, or atleast about 95%, or at least about 99% delivery consistency by mass peractuation for the first actuation compared to the nth actuation.Similarly, in various embodiments, other physical attributes of thedelivered aerosol, such as the FPF or the MMAD may be evaluated forconsistent performance of a pMDI system and pharmaceutical formulationover a simulated or accelerated life cycle test of the system.

Methods of Treatment

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be used totreat a variety of medical conditions, including without limitationnausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, musclespasticity, pain, anorexia associated with AIDS wasting syndrome,anorexia associated with cancer chemotherapy, epilepsy, glaucoma,Chrohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis,Amylotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, bronchialasthma, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, and migraineheadaches.

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition and a pMDI systemmay be configured to deliver a pharmacologically effective amount of acannabinoid and/or a terpene to a patient in need thereof. As usedherein, a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound is an amountsufficient to produce a detectable concentration of the substance, ametabolite of the substance, or some other substance produced inresponse to administration of an amount of a compound, in aphysiological sample obtained from a treated patient at a certain timeinterval following administration of the amount (or dose). Aphysiological sample can comprise, for example, a blood serum sample.

In various embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition and a pMDI systemmay be configured to deliver a therapeutically effective amount of acannabinoid and/or a terpene to a patient in need thereof. As usedherein, a therapeutically effective amount of a substance is an amountdelivered to a patient sufficient to elicit a required or desiredtherapeutic and/or prophylactic response, as the particular treatmentcontext may require. In various embodiments, a therapeutically effectiveamount may be the amount of a substance sufficient to provide thepatient with an objectively or subjectively perceptible effect ortherapeutic benefit relative to a treated condition. In variousembodiments, the presence of a therapeutically effective amount of botha cannabinoid and a terpene are necessary and sufficient to produce atherapeutic benefit.

In various embodiments, a pharmacologically effective amount of acannabinoid or terpenoid compound in a pharmaceutical compositionfollowing administration to a human patient may be determined clinicallybased on objectively measurable data. A pharmacologically effectiveamount of a compound can be determined at a particular time intervalfollowing administration of a composition to a patient, for example, bycollection of a physiological sample such as a blood sample from thetreated patient. A blood sample can be collected from minutes afteradministration of a pharmaceutical composition to hours or days afteradministration.

In various embodiments, a physiological sample such as a blood samplecan be collected at about 1 minute, or about 2 minutes, or about 3minutes, or about 4 minutes, or about 5 minutes, or about 10 minutes, orabout 15 minutes, or about 20 minutes, or about 30 minutes, or about 60minutes, or about 120 minutes following administration of apharmaceutical composition. In various embodiments, a pharmacologicallyeffective amount of a cannabinoid or a terpene measured for a bloodsample collected following administration of a pharmaceuticalcomposition can be a blood serum concentration of at least about 0.5ng/ml, or about 1.0 ng/ml, or about 2.0 ng/ml, or about 3.0 ng/ml, orabout 4.0 ng/ml, or about 5.0 ng/ml, or about 6.0 ng/ml, or about 7.0ng/ml, or about 8.0 ng/ml, or about 9.0 ng/ml, or about 10.0 ng/ml, orabout 20 ng/ml, or about 30 ng/ml, or about 50 ng/ml, or about 70 ng/ml,or about 100 ng/ml for the subject compound or a metabolite thereof.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Cannabinoid Molecular Distillate Preparation

Cannabis extracts were produced by extracting cannabis flower materialusing supercritical fluid extraction. Following extraction, the extractswere dissolved in ethanol and winterized using standard procedures toproduce winterized extracts. Winterized extracts were decarboxylated andsubjected to molecular distillation using a short path distillationapparatus (Pope, Inc., Saukville, Wis.) to produce cannabinoid moleculardistillates. Cannabinoid molecular distillate samples were sent to athird-party analytical service provider (Desert Valley Testing, Phoenix,Ariz.) to assess the quality of the distillates and the concentrationsof various cannabinoid compounds. Measured relative concentrations ofvarious cannabinoid compounds for cannabinoid molecular distillates usedto prepare pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure are shown below in Table 1.

As shown in Table 1, the tested cannabinoid compositions did not includemeasurable CBD. THC was the dominant cannabinoid compound, ranging fromabout 70% to about 90% of the total cannabinoids by weight. THCA wasdetectable in only a couple of the samples since the extracts weredecarboxylated during the extraction and distillation process. THCV waspresent in each of the extracts at about 0.5% or higher. CBGconcentrations ranged from about 1% (1.48%) to about 3% (2.31%), CBNconcentrations ranged from about 1% (0.98%) to about 5% (4.44%), and CBCconcentrations ranged from about 2% (1.84%) to about 11% (10.57%).

TABLE 1 Relative concentrations of individual cannabinoid compounds invarious cannabinoid compositions. Total Sample CBDA CBG CBD THCV CBN THCCBC THCA Cannabs.  3 0.00 2.07 0.00 0.57 3.08 88.12 1.84 0.00 95.68  130.00 1.91 0.00 0.54 2.12 78.48 5.73 0.00 88.42  10A 0.00 1.48 0.00 0.512.57 73.84 8.12 0.00 86.53  10L 0.00 2.29 0.00 0.00 4.44 70.45 9.22 0.0086.41  12A 0.00 2.23 0.00 0.56 2.46 83.06 4.03 0.00 92.35  12B 0.00 2.310.00 0.55 2.38 80.65 3.89 0.00 89.78 Aft 9/9 0.00 1.67 0.00 0.65 2.7380.80 10.57 0.00 96.42 B4 9/9 0.00 1.80 0.00 0.51 2.89 80.37 4.43 0.0090.00 C14 0.00 1.89 0.00 0.55 3.32 80.96 4.72 0.00 91.44  10B 0.00 1.950.00 0.56 3.31 87.39 5.34 0.89 99.43  16 0.00 1.81 0.00 0.64 3.34 89.634.00 0.40 99.82 151 0.00 1.48 0.00 0.62 2.58 75.70 2.79 0.00 83.17 1520.00 1.60 0.00 0.68 3.03 83.00 3.33 0.00 91.64 J3 0.00 1.62 0.00 0.640.98 75.77 4.66 0.00 83.67 Average 0.00 1.87 0.00 0.54 2.80 80.59 5.190.09 91.05

Example 2

Formulation of Products with Different Sedative Effects

The cannabis extract cannabinoid compound molecular distillatesdescribed in Example 1 were used to prepare pharmaceutical compositionshaving different terpene compositions. The various terpene compositionsused were formulated based on the terpene profiles of differentprominent Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica strains.

The Cannabis sativa strains used as a basis for terpene compositionformulations were “Candy Jack,” “Jack Herer,” “Sour Diesel,” and “SuperLemon Haze.” The pharmaceutical compositions comprising these terpenecompositions were classified as “Daytime” product formulationsconfigured to provide cannabinoid compound therapeutic benefits with alow sedative effect. These “Daytime” terpene compositions includedominant terpenes other than β-myrcene, linalool, or d-limonene, asshown in detail below in Table 2. For example, terpinolene andβ-caryophyllene are the dominant terpenes in the “Jack Herer” terpenecomposition, α-pinene and (−)-β-pinene are the dominant terpenes in the“Sour Diesel” terpene composition, and terpinolene, β-caryophyllene, andα-humulene are the dominant terpenes in the “Super Lemon Haze” productformulation. β-myrcene, linalool, and d-limonene, while variouslypresent in each, are present in comparatively low levels.

Cannabis indica strains used as a basis for terpene compositionformulations were “Granddaddy Purple,” “King Louie XIII OG,” “OG Kush,”and “Paris OG.” The pharmaceutical compositions comprising these terpenecompositions were classified as “Nighttime” product formulationsconfigured to provide cannabinoid compound therapeutic benefits combinedwith a high sedative effect. The terpene profiles of each terpenecomposition for the “Nighttime” production formulations included a highproportion of β-myrcene, linalool, and d-limonene with varying levels ofother terpenoid compounds.

TABLE 2 Relative concentrations of individual terpenoid compounds invarious terpene compositions in accordance with various embodiments.Candy Jack Jack Sour Super Granddaddy King Louie OG Paris Paris JackHerer Herer (2) Diesel Lemon Haze Purple XIII Kush OG OG II α-pinene2.67 2.98 2.95 57.98 0.71 3.69 2.48 0.00 2.44 2.67 camphene 0.00 0.000.00 1.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.22 0.00 0.00 (−)-β- pinene 0.00 0.00 0.0032.84 0.64 0.32 6.33 1.98 4.50 6.99 β-myrcene 4.06 0.00 0.00 0.31 5.175.90 11.54 17.77 8.74 13.71 δ-3-carene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 d-limonene 1.60 4.63 5.55 5.07 0.66 0.24 23.49 11.6323.81 21.61 α-terpinene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 P-cymene 0.00 0.23 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00eucalyptol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ocimene0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 γ-terpinene 0.00 0.130.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 terpinolene 6.03 19.53 33.910.00 20.41 28.99 3.85 1.19 3.85 4.26 linalool 7.56 1.92 1.25 0.00 0.3777.23 10.25 2.96 10.38 11.61 (−)-isopulegol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.47 geraniol 0.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 β-caryophyllene 40.51 22.07 19.12 0.27 39.84 8.39 24.3913.66 24.40 24.99 α-humulene 0.21 2.00 1.71 0.00 22.14 10.40 2.19 0.002.22 1.51 nerolidol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.11 0.00 0.00(−)-guaiol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00(−)-α-bisabolol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00(−)-caryophylene oxide 8.93 2.84 0.00 0.25 0.29 0.21 1.89 0.47 3.76 0.78sabinene 0.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.89 1.02 2.02 3.07 1.53 2.38α-phellandrene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.34 0.39 0.30 0.37 fenchol0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.43 0.00 0.00 camphor 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 isoboreol 2.89 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 menthol 0.57 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 borneol 4.93 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00terpineol 0.23 0.00 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.36 0.85 0.23 (+)-pulegone0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 geranyl acetate 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.00 valencene 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Example 3

Formulation of Other Terpene Mixes

Different terpene mixes were prepared and tested with a panel of blindtasters to identify terpene mixes that provided agreeable flavorprofiles.

Five different terpenes—myrcene, carvone, limonene, terpinolene, andpinene—were combined in equal amounts in various combinations of two,three, and four terpenes to create test terpene mixes. A test terpenemix comprising a combination of equal quantities of all five terpeneswas also created. Additional pre-mixed terpene flavors including“Peppermint,” “Tangerine,” “Grapefruit,” “Lime,” and “StrawberryLemonade” were included in the blind taste testing. All terpene mixeswere assigned unique identifier codes, mixed into a formulationcomprising either propellant and ethanol or propellant, ethanol, and CBDin proportions suitable for use in pharmaceutical formulation inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, andadministered to the test panel.

Of the numerous terpene mixes tested, six were selected as preferredbased on their agreeableness and for masking the flavor and/or burnexperienced by the tasters due to inhalation of the formulation and thevarious components thereof. Another seven were identified that wereacceptable. The preferred terpene mixes included: Peppermint, StrawberryLemonade, terpinolene+α-pinene, d-limonene+α-pinene,myrcene+carvone+d-limonene, and d-limonene+terpinolene+α-pinene.

Example 4

Pharmaceutical Composition Formulation and Packaging

A cannabis extract was used to prepare a cannabinoid composition asdescribed in Example 1. The cannabinoid composition was used to preparea pMDI pharmaceutical composition comprising 1,000 mg of cannabinoidcomposition. The cannabinoid composition was mixed with 1,000 mg ofUSP-grade ethanol until dissolved. Next, 50 mg of a terpene compositionwas added to the cannabinoid composition and ethanol solution and mixed.The resultant solution was placed in a pMDI canister, a 50 microlitervalve was installed and crimped to the canister, and 3.75 g of HFA 134awas added to the canister via the valve using a Pamasol pMDI fillingstation (Pamasol Willi Mäder AG, Pfäffikon, Switzerland) to produce apMDI canister comprising a pharmaceutical composition in accordance withthe present disclosure. The canister was assembled to an actuator havinga 0.58 mm nozzle orifice diameter, and the assembled pMDI system testedto ensure that 50 microliter metered doses of the pharmaceuticalcomposition were delivered per actuation of the system (based onmeasured canister weight), whereby approximately 10 mg of cannabinoidcompound medicine was delivered per actuation.

Example 5

Additional Pharmaceutical Composition Formulation Examples

Pharmaceutical compositions were formulated using the same cannabisextract cannabinoid compound molecular distillate, prepared as describedin Example 1, or CBD isolate, and various terpene compositions havingthe terpenoid profiles shown below in Table 3. The terpenoid profilesfor “Jack Herer” and “Granddaddy Purple” mixes shown in Table 3 are thesame as those in Table 2. Formulations were determined in accordancewith the methods described herein to produce soluble pharmaceuticalcompositions having the formulations described below.

TABLE 3 Relative concentrations of individual terpenoid compounds invarious terpene compositions in accordance with various embodiments.Jack Granddaddy Girl Scout Bubble Herer Purple Strawberry Cookies Gumα-pinene 2.98 3.69 43.14 2.29 60.79 camphene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.26(−)-β-pinene 0.00 0.32 4.52 0.34 6.38 β-myrcene 0.00 5.90 2.13 4.35 3.08δ-3-carene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 d-limonene 4.63 0.24 0.00 25.26 6.40α-terpinene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 P-cymene 0.23 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00eucalyptol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ocimene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00y-terpinene 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 terpinolene 19.53 28.99 0.00 4.520.00 linalool 1.92 77.23 0.00 12.14 0.00 (−)-isopulegol 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 geraniol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 β-caryophyllene 22.07 8.392.29 27.23 2.94 α-humulene 2.00 10.40 0.18 2.59 0.24 nerolidol 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 (−)-guaiol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (−)-α-bisabolol 0.000.00 0.00 0.29 0.00 (−)-caryophylene 2.84 0.21 0.00 6.21 0.20 oxidesabinene 0.00 1.02 0.37 0.75 0.55 α-phellandrene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.180.00 fenchol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 camphor 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00isoboreol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 menthol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00borneol 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 terpineol 0.00 0.00 0.48 0.46 0.00(+)-pulegone 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 geranyl acetate 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 valencene 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Cannabinoid compositions were mixed with ethanol co-solvent in equalproportions on a weight to weight basis in transparent glass pMDI jarsuntil dissolved. The terpene compositions listed in Table 3 where thenadded to cannabinoid composition and ethanol solutions and mixed untildissolved. The jars were then sealed with a metering valve and HFA 134awas injected into the jar and mixed with the cannabinoid composition,ethanol, and terpenoid composition solution. The solubility of themixtures was monitored during propellant injection, and injectionaddition was stopped when evidence of insolubility or separation becameapparent on visual inspection through the transparent jar. Propellantwas purged via the valve until the mixture again became soluble, and themaximum weight of propellant that could be used with each formulationwhile providing a soluble formulation was determined. The weights andproportions of each pharmaceutical composition component for the variousformulations determined in this manner are shown in Tables 4 and 5.

TABLE 4 Formulations of soluble pMDI pharmaceutical compositions havingvarious terpene compositions and 1.00 g total cannabinoid compositionper pMDI. Strawberry/ Strawberry/ Girl Scout Bubble Gum/ Bubble JackHerer/ Granddaddy Distillate CBD Cookies/Distillate Distillate Gum/CBDDistillate Purple/Distillate Cannabinoid 1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g composition (16.2%) (17.1%) (16.3%) (15.8%) (16.0%)(17.8%) (16.8%) Ethanol 1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g 1.00 g(16.2%) (17.1%) (16.3%) (15.8%) (16.0%) (17.8%) (16.8%) Terpene 0.0900 g0.0900 g 0.150 g 0.150 g 0.150 g 0.165 g 0.165 g composition (1.45%)(1.53%) (2.44%) (2.36%) (2.40%) (2.94%) (2.77%) HFA 134a 6.19 g 5.84 g6.15 g 6.35 g 6.25 g 5.62 g 5.97 g (66.2%) (64.2%) (65.0%) (66.1%)(65.6%) (61.4%) (63.7%)

TABLE 5 Formulations of soluble pMDI pharmaceutical compositions havingvarious terpene compositions and 0.500 g total cannabinoid compositionper pMDI. Strawberry/ Strawberry/ Girl Scout Bubble Gum/ Bubble Gum/Jack Herer/ Granddaddy Distillate CBD Cookies/Distillate Distillate CBDDistillate Purple/Distillate Cannabinoid 0.500 g 0.500 g 0.500 g 0.500 g0.500 g 0.500 g 0.500 g composition (16.4%) (17.0%) (16.8%) (15.8%)(16.3%) (18.6%) (17.4%) Ethanol 0.500 g 0.500 g 0.500 g 0.500 g 0.500 g0.500 g 0.500 g (16.4%) (17.0%) (16.8%) (15.8%) (16.3%) (18.6%) (17.4%)Terpene 0.0450 g 0.0450 g 0.0750 g 0.0750 g 0.0750 g 0.0825 g 0.0825 gcomposition (1.48%) (1.53%) (2.52%) (2.36%) (2.40%) (3.06%) (2.61%) HFA134a 3.05 g 2.95 g 2.98 g 3.18 g 3.08 g 2.68 g 2.88 g (65.7%) (64.5%)(63.9%) (66.1%) (65.6%) (59.7%) (63.7%)

As shown in Tables 4 and 5, the proportions of cannabinoid compositionand ethanol in the various formulations ranged from 15.8% to 18.6%. Theproportions of terpene composition in the various formulations rangedfrom 1.45% to 3.06%. The proportions of HFA 134a in the variousformulations ranged from 59.7% to 66.2%. The lowest proportion ofterpene composition was observed for a peppermint formulation having aCBD isolate cannabinoid composition, with a terpene compositionconcentration of 0.97%. The same peppermint CBD isolate formulation hada propellant concentration of 66.6%.

Example 6

Aerosol Particle Size Testing

The mass mean aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) is determined using aninstrument such as an Aerosizer DSP Model 3225 Particle Size Analyzer(Amherst Process Instrument, Inc., Amherst, Mass.). A pharmaceuticalcomposition in accordance with various embodiments is prepared, packagedin a pMDI system, and introduced into the instrument via an actuator.The instrument then uses time-of-flight measurements to determine theaerodynamic diameter of the aerosol particles. Particle density isassumed to be an arbitrary 1 g/cm3 for the purposes of thesemeasurements.

Fine Particle Fraction (FPF) is measured using an instrument such as anAnderson Cascade Impactor. A pharmaceutical composition in accordancewith various embodiments is introduced into the instrument by actuationof the pMDI system. The stages are selected to collect particles withvarious effective cutoff diameters (ECD). The mass deposited on eachstage is determined gravimetrically. Three replicate runs are performedfor each sample and the values are averaged. FPF is then expressed as afraction of the total mass introduced into the instrument.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the inventions. The scope of the inventions is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is usedin the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denotedifferent parts but not necessarily to denote the same or differentmaterials.

Compositions, systems, and methods are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “anexample embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed. After reading the description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”,“comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inhaler system consisting essentially of anactuator, ethanol, a valve, purified tetrahydrocannabinol or purifiedcannabidiol, and a hydroflorocarbon propellant.